Page 37 of Perfect Boy

I drag in a long, shaky breath and slowly let it out.

I’ve never thought about my wedding day, really. But I never imagined I’d be marrying a Brooks Wolf for a visa either.

It’s time to go get married.

I park in the parking lot across the street from the courthouse. I check my reflection in the mirror one last time before pushing my door open. It creaks and sounds like it might fall off, but that’s not nearly as awful of a sound as when I close it and the entire thing rattles. It serves me well though. Having a car isn’t something I’ll ever take for granted. I can go where I want to go.

Unless it breaks down, of course.

I lean against my car, looking around for Watson. I arrived here a few minutes early. I guess I couldn’t stand to just sit in my house any longer. But when I hit the side of my phone to light the screen up, showing it’s five minutes past three, my stomach churns. He’s never late.

He probably changed his mind.

It would be for the best if he did. I mean, this is illegal. And stupid. Not to mention really crazy. Even though I know that, my heart sinks at the thought that maybe he’s backing out. And truthfully, I think it’s because he’s always been someone I could trust, and if he decided against this marriage, I’d be disappointed that he stood me up without an explanation.

I continue standing here, trying to stop my heart from pounding so hard. He’s ghosting me, and then I’ll have to dance with him in front of hundreds of people in a few freaking days. This is a disaster.

Turning, I reach for my door handle. But before I can pull it open, Watson’s truck comes speeding into the parking lot, quickly pulling into the spot right next to mine.

Swiftly, he climbs out, jogging around the front of the truck to get to me. “I’m so sorry. I got stuck in construction, and then my phone died, so I couldn’t call to let you know.” He sighs. “I was afraid you’d leave when I didn’t show up.”

“I was about to,” I say, chewing my bottom lip anxiously. “I thought…I figured you had changed your mind.” I try to smile, but nothing happens. “And I wouldn’t have blamed you. I know this is insane.”

Coming closer, he surprises me when he takes my hands in his. “I didn’t change my mind, Ryann.”

He gives me a small, reassuring smile before dropping my hands and heading to the passenger side of his truck. Pulling out two boxes, he holds the larger one up first.

“Before I give you this, please know that I have no clue what I’m doing when it comes to jewelry. I’d never bought it before. So, if it’s ugly and you hate it, that’s fine because we can take it back and you can choose something you want.”

When he pushes the box my way, I stare down at it, embarrassed to actually take it from him.

“I…I didn’t get you anything,” I croak, my cheeks boiling. “I didn’t even remember a ring. Shit. Were we supposed to get rings?” I feel myself shrinking, feeling an inch tall. “I’m so dumb. We’re about to get married. Of course we need rings.”

“Ryann,” he says, dipping his head a little lower. “Please, take it. I didn’t expect anything. I know I sprang this on you at the last minute.” A look of sadness briefly touches his face, disappearing just as fast as it came, but still, it was there. I saw it. “I know I’m not what you want. And that’s fine. I can’t force you to give me a chance. But you mean a lot to me. And I still want to make this day special for you. You deserve that much.”

My entire chest squeezes as I glance from him to the box, feeling terrible that he thinks the reason I wouldn’t give him a chance is because he isn’t what I want. That’s not it at all. I’m just trying—I’ve been trying—to protect myself. And my heart. And here he is, completely selfless and willing to marry me just so I can stay.

Finally, I reach out and slowly take it from him. I hold the large velvet box it in my hands, wondering what on earth it could be. No one has ever given me jewelry before.

Opening it, I look down at the necklace. It’s white gold with a black diamond pendant that is surrounded by white diamonds. It’s beautiful. Too beautiful for someone like me. And I’m sure it wasn’t cheap either.

“Watson, this is too much. You didn’t have to get me anything.” I chew the inside of my cheek nervously. Maybe it’s because I don’t receive gifts often—or at all—so when I do, I don’t know how to act. “Thank you.”

As I stare at it, I feel Watson as he shifts around on his feet nervously. “The dude at the jewelry store was trying to talk me into pearls. But I don’t know. You just don’t seem like the type of girl who would want pearls.”

“I hate pearls,” I whisper, looking up at him. Emotions unexpectedly sear through my body, bringing tears to my eyes, clouding my vision. “It’s really, really beautiful.”

Taking it from the box, he spins me around gently. When his hand grazes my neck, pushing my hair out of the way, I’m embarrassed by the instant goose bumps I get. Securing the necklace around my neck, he takes my hair in his hands before smoothing it back to where it was. When he’s finished, I slowly turn toward him.

“Thank you, Watson,” I say, peering up at him. “Really. Thank you.”

“Anything for you.” He shrugs, giving me a tiny smile.

And I know he means it. He’s too good for me. Too good for anyone who isn’t pure perfection.

Grabbing the empty box, he takes it to his truck. He’s over there for a moment, and I’m wondering what he is doing. And when he returns, both boxes he held a minute ago are gone.

Slowly, he slides down onto one knee and opens his hand. In it lies a thin wedding band, made up of black diamonds.

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